0-60 and 30-70, 0--100 times? (mph)
Discussion
All, I'm trying to gauge the performance of various caterham cars compared to my previous sports cars. I know I would like something as quick as but not quicker than my current car (evo x).
To help me understand where in the caterham range I should be aiming I would like to know what other people have been able to achieve in their caterhams for:
0-60 (mph) time
30-70 time
0-100 time
Which model
5 or 6 speed
Etc
I appreciate the sense of speed is different in a caterham . However, it gives me a starting point.
I'm also interested in real world and not text book times please.
So what have you all achieved?
To help me understand where in the caterham range I should be aiming I would like to know what other people have been able to achieve in their caterhams for:
0-60 (mph) time
30-70 time
0-100 time
Which model
5 or 6 speed
Etc
I appreciate the sense of speed is different in a caterham . However, it gives me a starting point.
I'm also interested in real world and not text book times please.
So what have you all achieved?
i would approach it as ever with the 'what do i want to do with car' principle. I wanted a car that was as much track as on the road so decided to go with a 140Bhp supersport. Fast enough for road unless you are in the realms of idiot level and means that skill is everything on track - as you dont have stupid amounts of power you need to keep speed in corners or else it destroys the lap.
figures below are taken from a datalogger on track, quoted times are exiting a very tight hairpin corner in 2nd gear so could maybe go quicker if I used 1st gear and in a straight line but will give you an idea ,my car is a Caterham duratec with around 270bhp 6 speed box 3.6 FD.
30 to 60 - 1.4
30 to 100 - 5.4
30 to 110 - 7.27
30 to 120 - 9.36
60 to 100 - 4.00
100 to 110 -1.87
60 to 120 -7.96
I have tried a 0-60 on road tyres but was earlier in the year when temps were cooler and the first second is wasted fighting wheelspin and also have a gearchange to crack 60mph which from memory cost around .2 sec, think the best I managed was around 3.7 seconds .
30 to 60 - 1.4
30 to 100 - 5.4
30 to 110 - 7.27
30 to 120 - 9.36
60 to 100 - 4.00
100 to 110 -1.87
60 to 120 -7.96
I have tried a 0-60 on road tyres but was earlier in the year when temps were cooler and the first second is wasted fighting wheelspin and also have a gearchange to crack 60mph which from memory cost around .2 sec, think the best I managed was around 3.7 seconds .
The other thing to bear in mind is that the Caterham gets it's performance from light weight rather than high BHP, so your 0-60 times can be a bit academic. The age, compound and temperature of the tyres can easily change the figures by 1-2 seconds, particularly on the more powerful cars.
Anthillmob said:
It would appear that I am looking at r300 / Supersport r territory.more than enough for the road yet room to grow on the track.
Any more times to add to the list?
If you're looking for that torquey thud in the back feeling that you're used to from turbocharged cars, then I'd be looking at a Duratec R300/Supersport R.Any more times to add to the list?
As has been said though, the car is more about carrying speed in the corners though, and you'll be surprised how fast the "lower" powered cars feel. Agreed with Andy that the 140 Supersport is at a real sweet spot where you can really use a lot of the power on the road, while on the track your braking and cornering has to be spot on so you don't mess up your lap. I've learnt more from 1 year of driving and trackdays in the Supersport than I have with 5 years worth in the other cars.
Depends to a great extent on what you want to spend and how you want to use the car. I came from GT2s and GT3s and wanted something for occasional blasts which is fun at much lower speeds.
I tried a basis VX engined car which was supposedly about 140 BPH, but I suspect nearer to 100 and found the lack of torque a bit limiting. I then bought an 1800 K series in a moderately high state of tune (205 BHP). Its fantastic and I really can't see needing more on the road. The throttle bodies and tune mean it could perhaps be smoother pottering around town and as I rarely get beyond about 7k revs perhaps tells me 160-190 BHP might be all I really use.
I' not sure Caterhams are all about the numbers you mention up front. Its much more a feel thing, but I think you have to be happy to have got broadly the right amount of power for you, which is unlikely to be less than 160, but possibly not that much more.
The Duratec 300s are very well rated, but the cheapest is twice what I paid for my car
I tried a basis VX engined car which was supposedly about 140 BPH, but I suspect nearer to 100 and found the lack of torque a bit limiting. I then bought an 1800 K series in a moderately high state of tune (205 BHP). Its fantastic and I really can't see needing more on the road. The throttle bodies and tune mean it could perhaps be smoother pottering around town and as I rarely get beyond about 7k revs perhaps tells me 160-190 BHP might be all I really use.
I' not sure Caterhams are all about the numbers you mention up front. Its much more a feel thing, but I think you have to be happy to have got broadly the right amount of power for you, which is unlikely to be less than 160, but possibly not that much more.
The Duratec 300s are very well rated, but the cheapest is twice what I paid for my car
Sevens aren't really about numbers; sure they are quick on dry smooth roads but whatever impressive acceleration times are achieveable in good conditions they won't get anywhere near those on bumpy or wet roads . It doesn't matter- all part of the fun - but whereas something like an Evo possibly isn't massively compromised in bad conditions Sevens certainly are . Doesn't bother me one iota .
The feel associated with driving in a caterham is why I'm looking to take up ownership. But I have certainly found myself moving up in bhp with my resent car purchases. So I don't want to make the same mistake this time around.
However, I am very interested to know how the Supersport r compares to a standard Supersport (or compatible model) when it come to handling and balanced of the cars. Is the Supersport more forgiving? And the Supersport r ready to bite .
Assume that I am a typical road driver albeit used to driving spots cars. All the track experience and training is to come.
However, I am very interested to know how the Supersport r compares to a standard Supersport (or compatible model) when it come to handling and balanced of the cars. Is the Supersport more forgiving? And the Supersport r ready to bite .
Assume that I am a typical road driver albeit used to driving spots cars. All the track experience and training is to come.
Back in 1999/2000 I owned an Evo 4, 280bhp, usual 4 wheel drive, AYC, etc and used it on road and track, great car but not a Caterham. A Caterham is all about a raw driving experience, being able to feel every small movement in the steering, suspension and the power it puts out. I have owned a K series R300 and a Blackbird and both for me have been far more fun than the Evo without eating tyres, brakes, clutches. A Caterham will run rings round most tin tops on track up to 350bhp and be more of an occasion to drive on the road. The Evo can be quicker across country if it is bumpy and damp but a Caterham is a car for a true driving enthusiast IMHO. How fast numbers do not matter, going round corners and other track users is what these cars are about, just start with an R300 and you will be more than happy.
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Best thing I can do is suggest you go and hire one! Try a Supersport and Supersport R and see the difference. Caterham South will hire them out for the day. I was fully under the impression that I needed an R300 but after driving a Roadsport 125 for a day, I was all prepared to buy one until a really good 140 came for sale.
For my first Caterham I went from a 355 with 380 hp to an R400 with 210 hp. By comparison to the Ferrari, the Caterham feels way faster up to about 110mph. Beyond that, aero and power start to pull the Ferrari ahead. On track, the Ferrari wouldn't see which way my Caterham had gone.
Interestingly, I looked up my Caterham lap times over the 7 years I've had the car and they have improved by anything up to 5 seconds in that time. Just goes to show how much of a difference your driving technique can make. It's also one of the reasons why I like the car so much. There's always room to improve- and that's fun.
Interestingly, I looked up my Caterham lap times over the 7 years I've had the car and they have improved by anything up to 5 seconds in that time. Just goes to show how much of a difference your driving technique can make. It's also one of the reasons why I like the car so much. There's always room to improve- and that's fun.
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